Casey McClain

Elected in 2017, Casey M. McClain began his new career as a magisterial district judge. His district, the Centre Region, encompasses the many apartments for Penn State students that lends itself to a plethora of landlord tenant complaints, to the tailgate grounds for football games and the accompanying underage drinking citations, and back to the State College suburbs replete with contractual issues between neighbors and small businesses. Mr. McClain finds his new career fascinating, challenging and rewarding as he serves his community the best way he knows how, with humility and honesty. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Mr. McClain always wanted to be a trial lawyer (or the second baseman for the Pirates). Being very quiet, Mr. McClain wanted to prove that he could stand up and be the voice for those who couldn’t defend themselves. After attending Penn State for his undergraduate degree he attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, graduating in 2002. While in law school Mr. McClain completed an internship in the Multnomah County (Portland, OR) District Attorney’s Office. Being the lead prosecutor in minor misdemeanor trials, while still a law student, was quite an attraction and made for great stories at “bar review” on Thursday nights. And while he loved his limited time as a prosecutor, it would be as a public defender where he forged his path. Starting in 2004 Mr. McClain began life as an assistant public defender in Centre County. Starting small he handled relatively minor cases such as PSAM, DUI, theft cases. But as his experience and confidence grew, so did his case load. Over a 14 year career there are many stories and many successes. Even more losses though. But the experiences, the “fight”, are what Mr. McClain relished. Having gone to trial on cases ranging from DUI up through First Degree Murder, Mr. McClain cherished his time as a defender and a voice. Hoping to inspire the next generation, Mr. McClain co-founded the Indigent Criminal Justice Practicum at the PSU Law School. Serving as an adjunct professor and helping to run this clinic for five years (through 2017) was a highlight of Mr. McClain’s career. He also served as a judge for eight years for the trial advocacy program demonstrating various trial techniques and skills for the students. In 2014 the Centre County Bar Association awarded Mr. McClain the first John R. Miller, Jr. Civility Award for his “even-tempered, honest and civil style of representing clients in the heated arena of criminal law.” Mr. McClain’s one true love is his family. He married his wife, Dr. Lucy McClain in 2011. She is a professor at PSU and works at the Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center. They have two boys; Conary who was born in 2014 and Eamon who was born in 2019. Watching the kids grow, learn and adore each other is the great accomplishment of Mr. McClain’s life. Together the family enjoys playing all variety of sports, going to the beach, playing Connect 4, reading and trying not to have the kids grow up too fast.